The Jathika Hela Urumaya, an affiliate of the present government, is accusing Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem of unleashing Muslim extremism in several areas of the east to target the forthcoming Eastern Provincial Council polls there.

Mr. Hakeem has let loose an `Otu` (Arabic) terrorism in areas such as Potuvil, Panama, Akkarapattu, Samanturai, Kinniya, Mutur and Kalmunai, JHU spokesman Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe charged.

Mr. Warnasinghe made the comment when `Lanka Dissent` queried him regarding his party`s opposition to the SLMC`s contesting the May 10th election.


The party led by Mr. Hakeem is promoting sentiments against the state and the Sinhalese for a `Muslim Deshai` (Muslim state) in these eastern areas, Mr. Warnasinghe alleged.

He compared this to the idea propped up among Tamil youths by the TULF in the 1960-70 period for a separate state for their community.

This will end up in another armed struggle, this time by Muslim youths, for a separate state, the JHU spokesman warned.

Mr. Hakeem has also spoken about the advantage of a `Nasaristan` in a merged northeast.

The SLMC leader is spreading Muslim extremism by destroying Buddhist places of worship in the east and taking over the land belonging to them, Mr. Warnasinghe said further.

The east will come under the grip of al-Qaeda terrorism if this situation continues, he warned.

Mr. Hakeem has entered into a secret pact with Velupillai Prabhakaran to let loose an `Otu` (camel) terrorism in the eastern area, the JHU spokesman charged, adding that the UNP has created a foundation for same.

He cited the appointment of two Muslims to fill the parliamentary seats that fell vacant following the death of two TNA MPs as an example to press his point.

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has betrayed his party through his aiding the SLMC to allow the Muslim extremism by allowing it to contest under the party`s symbol.

Eastern Muslim youths had, at one-time, been very close to Tamil Tiger terrorism, Mr. Warnasinghe said, adding that during the Ranasinghe Premadasa regime, firearms were given to them for their protection.

A large haul of weapons that had been unaccounted for after Karuna broke away from the LTTE have come into the possession of Muslim youths, he charged.